This could not be happening. Where did I go wrong? Here I am in the middle of the grocery store with my kid having a flat-out tantrum. The type of tantrum where others look at you judging your ability to parent. I think we’ve all been there. And maybe more times than we’d like to admit. Now that we’ve been two years in a pandemic that seems to have changed our routine, we seek creative ways to teach our little ones about giving that is safe and fun.
Here are five fun activities you can do to teach kids about giving in a pandemic.
1. Buy toys and gifts for less fortunate kids.
Holidays, toy drives, and school initiatives are an excellent time for kids to participate in giving to others in need. You can sponsor kids in your community (school, church, neighborhood, etc.). Invite your kids to go on a shopping trip. Explain that the particular trip is exclusively for someone who can’t afford it. You can make it a game. I like to set a budget and let my kids pick out the gifts for the anonymous child. To make it extra fun, you can have a gift-wrapping party. We like to imagine how the kid would feel receiving the gifts we bought. The excitement in the room is electrifying, and it never fails to remove ourselves from the focal point of attention.
2. Make something for a friend or teacher.
Giving doesn’t always have to be through financial substance. Sometimes, the most memorable and treasured gifts are those that don’t cost much money, only your time.
Instead of buying gifts and sending your child to the next birthday party, solicit your child’s help. Let them draw or paint a picture, make a bracelet, or make something sentimental to their friendship. This can also be a fun way for you to learn more about your child’s friends. You’d be surprised by the level of detail the young friendships already have.
Writing a thank-you note to show appreciation for their teacher’s continued support and sacrifice can go a long way. So the next time you are looking for a way to give without breaking the bank, think of ways to give your time–make something for a friend or teacher.
3. Donate to shelters
There are always shelters needing monetary or care package donations. Most shelters have limited physical volunteers because of COVID-19. However, their needs still exist, and they always welcome donations. Donating to shelters could be an excellent opportunity to reinforce the conversation about needs and wants. Personal hygiene products and blankets (especially during the cold season) are everyday needs. Shelters are an amazing choice to give during a pandemic.
Here is a list of shelters in the Minneapolis area to consider.
4. Give to a charity that means something to your child.
Does your child love animals, have a particular interest in homeless people, or a specific sport? There is always a way to show support to local foundations that pique your kid’s attention (or you can create your own). It’s important to give to a charity that means something to your child to show them that you are interested in what they care about and increase their participation.
Here is a resource for local charities in the metro area to consider.
5. Give 10% of what they earn.
This principle keeps giving. It’s a continual lesson of sharing and not being stingy with what we have. Whether your child decides to give to charity, tithes in church, or a friend, making this a continual practice will establish a baseline for the future.
Six years ago, that temper tantrum was when this desperate momma took an embarrassing moment and made it a lifelong lesson. And now my kids are 9 and 5. They are more compassionate, giving, and caring individuals who appreciate what they get and what they can give to others. I don’t know the future but I hope giving is forever etched in their memory.
One of the best things you can do for your child is to be an example. Talk about ways to give. Don’t let giving be an event but create a lifestyle.
The sign of truly great parenting is the parent’s behavior.” -Andy Smithson
Tammy Burley is a mom-blogger and life coach based in St. Paul, MN. She helps working women with families find creative ways to be productive and stay happy. Sign up for her free weekly newsletter filled with tips and motivation to have the best day.
